NEW TECHNOLOGIES - NOVEMBER 1998 | BACK TO INDEX    

Minister Officially Opens PDL Electronics Ltd Plant

Enterprise and Commerce Minister Max Bradford officially opened PDL Electronics' new 1800 sq. metre building in Napier on 28 October, which was built to meet rapidly increasing international demand for its innovative products.
The Hon. Max Bradford was joined by PDL Holdings Ltd Chief Executive, Mark Stewart, Founder President, Sir Robertson Stewart, Lady Adrienne Stewart and PDL Holdings Ltd Board Chairman, Paul Mortlock. The mayors of Napier and Hastings, Alan Dick and Jeremy Dwyer, also joined PDL to celebrate the official opening along with the Chief Executive of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce, Richard Heath. A number trade media and local media were present as well.

Max Bradford officially declared the new production facility open with the unveiling of a bronze plaque, holding PDL as a shining example of a company "working smarter" in order to compete internationally.

General Manager of PDL Electronics, David O'Donoghue, guided the official party through a tour of the new plant, where dignatories viewed the high technology equipment that PDL Electronics uses in manufacturing its AC motor controllers and ancillary products.

"A phenomenal sustained growth in the sales of our products made the expansion of our Napier site essential," Manufacturing Manager, Andrew Fraser, said.

"We've increased our production by 100% over the last two years and we're expecting a further 30% increase in the coming year.

"It's great news for PDL and for the whole region. We now employ over 180 people on the site, 50% more than we did two years ago."

David O'Donoghue said the company's strong growth came from its strong focus on research and development and its ability to match technology with an enterprising marketing strategy.

"Over 70% of our sales come from products which are less than two years old."

PDL has invested more than $1 million over the past year in the new plant and manufacturing equipment. A similar amount will be spent on plant and equipment in the coming year.